About

Transforming Our World, Our Future, Ourselves
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Educating the Next Generation of Social Workers

Students in Pitt's School of Social Work learn the knowledge, skills and values to engage in culturally competent practice with diverse populations and communities. They learn to critically analyze personal, familial and environmental factors affecting practice settings and techniques, and to advocate for those who confront barriers to achieving their fullest potentials.

Why Choose Pitt Social Work? 

Sculpture by Posvar Hall

Transforming Careers

School students, alumni and personnel gain valuable experience serving local, national and international communities by collaborating with social agencies, community-based organizations, government and foundations.

Over 60% of grad students get financial aid.

Over 60% of grad students get financial aid. More than 60% of full-time graduate students receive financial assistance.

Ranked 12th among peer schools

Ranked 12th among peer schools Nationally, the School is ranked 12th among 319 accredited graduate schools of social work (U.S. News and World Report, 2024).

92% of MSW grads are employed within 9 months

92% of MSW grads are employed within 9 months Of those employed, 75% were in jobs that required their degree.


Over $30 million dollars of funded research

Over $30 million dollars of funded research The SSW has externally funded projects totaling over $30 million dollars.

159 fellowship awards, totaling over $2 million

159 fellowship awards, totaling over $2 million Awarded 159 training fellowship awards, totaling more than $2 million in additional financial support.

Diverse student and faculty population

Diverse student and faculty population Over 37% of full-time faculty members are faculty of color. 674 total students, 24% of them students of color.

Numerous practicum work opportunities available.

Numerous practicum work opportunities available. Our Practicum Education Office has partnerships with over 600 agencies to maximize opportunities
Dean Elizabeth Farmer

Welcome to the School of Social Work!

This is a wonderful time to be in social work and to be at Pitt! The current challenges in our world highlight the critical importance of social work and social workers. 

Read Dean Farmer's Welcome

Explore Our School
Students participate at an event on the Pittsburgh campus.
Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

We hold ourselves responsible and accountable for assuring that the Pitt School of Social Work fully embraces and embodies anti-racism. 

PhD students discuss their work as one student writes on a whiteboard.
Continuing Education

Our program offers specialized training by local experts in the topical areas that social workers want and need to learn in order to best serve their clients and organizations.

A social work student stands next to her research poster.
Research and Training

We conduct boundary-pushing research that is grounded in community and lived experience to advance just policies and practice and contribute to collective wellbeing.

Our Mission

The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work is committed to its mission of preparing courageous leaders to transform social work practice, policy, research, and education in a community-engaged and inclusive environment. We build and develop collaborative partnerships to understand, prevent, and ameliorate complex social problems with innovative approaches that promote social justice.